Ben Preiss
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Wearing a replica of Elvis’s signature 1970s-era white jumpsuit, Shawn Klush was crowned the “ultimate Elvis tribute artist” in the first-ever contest for Elvis impersonators sanctioned by Elvis Presley’s estate. The sold-out crowd at a downtown Memphis concert hall was won over with Klush’s version of ‘Viva Las Vegas.’ He then beat the nine other competitors with a rendition of ‘You Gave Me a Mountain’.  Contestants were judged on performance, appearance and respect for Elvis by a panel of judges including Joe Moscheo, a singer who performed regularly with Presley in Las Vegas.
Klush's victory gives him $US5,000 ($A6,300) in cash, a $US5,000 gift certificate to spend at Graceland and the marketing value of the first-ever endorsement from Presley's estate.
Reflecting the continuing international appeal of Elvis three decades after his death, the 10 finalists in the showdown included a Canadian, a Norwegian and a Briton.
Professional Elvis impersonators have flourished on the fringe for years in places as far-flung as London and Los Angeles but have never had the sanction of the Presley estate, which shunned them out of concern they were cheapening the value of a lucrative entertainment brand.
But that approach is changing with the commercial growth for Graceland, the Memphis mansion Presley bought for just over $US100,000 ($A126,000) in 1957.
(abc.net.au)References: chron, abc.net.au Filed In: |
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